Men’s Hockey
TOP 10 TUESDAY: Carleton, Laval open at No.1 in basketball
U SPORTS sits down with one key athlete, coach, and staff member of each U SPORTS athletic program in our interview series “Getting to know…”
- Name: Josh Maguire
- School: UOIT
- Sport: Hockey
- Position: Forward
- Year of eligibility: 2
- Program: Criminology and Justice Studies
- Hometown: Cobourg, Ont.
1. What attracted you to UOIT?
UOIT is a short drive from my hometown of Cobourg, so it seemed like a natural fit. I wanted to continue to play hockey throughout my university career, and with talking with head coach Curtis Hodgins, I felt the opportunity to succeed in both hockey and in the classroom was high for me here at UOIT. Also, Curtis had worked with my grandfather, whom I was extremely close with before he passed away. I had heard my grandfather speak highly of Coach Hodgins so seemed like it was almost meant to be when Curtis started recruiting me.
2. What's your favourite memory, and your greatest athletic achievement as a U SPORTS student-athlete?
My greatest accomplishment so far would be receiving the Rookie of the Year award for my team last season. This means so much to me, because I think our rookie class was very strong last season. To be thought of that highly, with the other guys who were around me, and who could have received this award, was very rewarding.
3. Where are you hoping your path will take you after university?
My path after university is very unclear at this point. I really love the game of hockey, but at the same time have a passion to become a police officer, hopefully in my hometown someday.
4. Who’s had the greatest influence on your athletic career?
I find it hard to pin-point one single person who has influenced me so far, because I truly feel that I have been extremely privileged. I have a great family support system, who are always willing to sacrifice to see me succeed. I've also been very lucky to have great coaches and trainers, all whom have contributed to my career. So, from family to coaches to trainers, I'm extremely grateful for the opportunities, sacrifices and positions that they have put me in to succeed.
5. Who is someone in the sports world, past or present, with whom you'd love to have dinner with? Why?
Tiger Woods. Because I think he is one of the greatest athletes in the world. And I would love to ask him about the amount of adversity that he has had to overcome throughout his career.
6. What is your pre-game ritual? Do you have any superstitions/idiosyncrasies around preparing yourself for a game?
I have a lot of little superstitions, to the point that my teammates enjoy razzing me a bit. But a couple consist of cold tubing the night before games, and trying to eat the same foods, starting the day before the game.
7. What's your go-to song to get pumped up for practice or a game?
I listen to the Spittin Chicklets podcast before games. It keeps me loose and also thinking about hockey.
8. What's your favourite social media account to follow?
Spittin Chicklets.
9. If you could try another sport, what would it be and why?
I actually already play another sport, which is fastball. I think it gives me a good break from hockey and makes me look forward to getting back on the ice every year. It gives me a chance to play another game that I love and with a different group of friends. I have had a lot of success so far as well.
10. What's the most embarrassing thing that's happened to you as an athlete?
I blocked a shot during a game with my skate, and my skate blade fell out. Problem was, I didn't realize it had fallen out, so I was falling all over the ice. I couldn't understand why I couldn't stand up and when I realized what had happened, I had to crawl back to the bench on my hands and knees.